414 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



Sept. 



cells. This vitalizing mucilage or protoplasm, 

 as it is called, exists in minute quantity and as 

 the cells are completed it moves forward into 

 the new, and forming cells along with the sap 

 or cellulose from which new deposits are going 

 on, it does not become incorporated into the 

 tissues of the cells, or appear to constitue an 

 essential part of them, for it may be washed 

 out of them, and yet its presence is absolutely 

 necessary to the formative process in the ves- 

 sels of plants. Through the cells thus ar- 

 ranged in the sap wood of plants, water con- 

 taining the various substances heretofore 

 named in solution, is transmitted. It is car- 

 ried on into the leaves. Here a portion of it 

 is transmitted through the pores of the cuti- 

 cle of the leaf, and passes into the atmosphere. 

 Another portion is decomposed by the action 

 of the chemical agencies at work in the cells of 

 the leaf, and its solid contents, together with 

 its carbon retained, and its oxygen is given 

 off into the atmosphere. The carbonic acid 

 imbibed from the atmosphere is at the same time 

 decomposed, and, mingling with that obtained 

 from the water brought up from the soil, now 

 forms the descending or prepared sap, and is 

 transmitted downward in the cells of the inner 

 bark or liber, and carried through the cells 

 containing the protoplasm or vitalizing fluid, 

 ■which acts upon it, and produces in it that 

 change, whatever it may be, which fits it to be 

 incorporated into the tissues of the plant, and 

 become a part of an organized being. There 

 is a close analogy between the processes by 

 ■which plants and animals grow, although there 

 are two very important differences. One is that 

 animals make use of foodthat has been previous- 

 ly organized and vitalized ; another is that a 

 much higher degree of vitalization is imparted 

 in the vessels of animals than in those of veg- 

 etables. We cannot trace the various steps 

 of the process as distinctly in plants as we 

 can in animals. But the results are as obvious 

 in the former as in the latter. The food of 

 plants taken in by the spongioles of the roots 

 and by the pores of the leaves and green 

 bark is carried forward in obedience to cer- 

 tain foices operating in the cells of plants, un- 

 til it reaches the cells of the leaf, as the food 

 of animals received by the mouth, and under 

 certain circumstances, by the jjores of the 

 skin, is carried forward until it reaches the 

 lungs. In the leaf, as in the lungs, certain 

 chemical changes are wrought upon the food by 

 external forces to which it is here presented. 

 In the one case tlie change is effected by 

 means of the chemical alliiiity existing in one 

 of the constituents of the atmosphere for an 

 element presented to it in the blood. In the 

 other case the change is effected through tlie 

 chemical agency of light, aided by the stimu- 

 lus of heat. In both cases the result is a flu- 

 id containing certain elements fit to be incor- 

 porated into the growing tissues. 



When an abundant supply of suitable food 

 is taken up by plants, new cells are rapidly 



formed, and become engorged by tissue-form- 

 ing fluid. The cells are then large and filled 

 with sap, and the tissue formed is soft and 

 spongy. The plant is then growing vigorous- 

 ly. In a short time, it may be in a few days 

 or weeks, the vessels cease to take in food so 

 greedily. Solid matters are deposited in the 

 cells, and they become firm and hardened, and 

 growth ceases. So, in animals, the formative 

 vessels, when the supply is abundant, appro- 

 priate what they can use, and the remainder 

 which has been taken in is carried off by the 

 excretory vessel. In animals the stage of 

 growth is continued one, two or many years. 

 In perennial plants it is annually renewed and 

 annually ceases for a succession of years. 



Both in plants and animals, the process of 

 growth goes on until the individual attains 

 certain limits, when it ceases. Why the pro- 

 cess is thus confined I know not. Why the 

 germ of one plant is developed in successive 

 growths for centuries, until it reaches a gigan- 

 tic size, and that of another completes its de- 

 velopment in a few Aveeks or days, and only 

 reaches a size so minute that it is scarcely visi- 

 ble to the naked eye, I know not. I can only 

 say that it is in obedience to a law impressed 

 on its constitution. 



Thus I have said a few things about the 

 growth of plants, which is one department of 

 vegetable physiology, but have scarcely begun 

 to discuss the subject. It is a subject of great 

 interest, and has relations with all animate 

 and inanimate nature. By its study we are 

 strikingly taught the wisdom and skill of the 

 Creator, and our entire dependence upon his 

 power and goodness. J. R. 



Concord, Mass., July, 1867. 



For the New England Farmer. 

 NOTES ON THE CONNECTICUT VAL- 

 LEY.— No. V. 

 Barns and Out-Building3. 



This section presents no exceptions to most 

 others of our country in the location and char- 

 acter of the barns and other out-buildings of 

 the farm. 



In a majority of cases, it would appear as if 

 chance, and not forecast, decided the question 

 of their position, and that adversely to the 

 best inteiests of the farmer and tlie farm. 

 Most of those where some plan appears to 

 have been oliserved, are open to olijcctions in 

 several particulars. It is not to be expected 

 that all men will be suited with the same style 

 of house and surroundings, neither is it desira- 

 ble. If this were the case, we should see a 

 sameness that would be wearisome to us. The 

 cheapest of buihlings, whatever their uses, are 

 susceptible of ta-<tef'ul constructi n. Their 

 proper location is a very im[)ortant matter. 

 Health, wealth, comfort and convenience are 

 to be consulted. 



Most men have been more or less influenced, 

 when locating a new house, by the position of 



